WHILE IN ROMANIA

This section is courtesy of Romanian National Tourism Office for North America.

Communications

Telephone:
International direct dialing service is available throughout Romania. Most public telephones require the use of a calling/ telephone card. It is very easy to rent or to buy a cellular telephone in Romania.

Dialing within Romania:
0 +2+ three digit area code + six digit telephone #
when dialing anywhere in the countryside or
0 + 2+1 + seven digit telephone #
when dialing a number Bucharest.
Three digit telephone numbers are local toll-free numbers for emergencies or businesses.

International dialing from Romania:
00 + country code + area code + telephone #

Dialing from a foreign country directly to Bucharest:
International Access Code +40 (country code) + 21 + seven digit telephone #

Dialing from a foreign country directly to any other city in Romania:
International Access Code + 40 (country code) + three digit area code + six digit phone #

Romania has several Internet access providers offering advanced service s such as Internet messaging via mobile telephone, Internet paging, international roaming and more. A number of Internet retail outlets and cyber-cafes in almost every town offer convenient Internet access. An increasing number of hotels offer data ports with high-speed modem connections for guests to access the Internet and retrieve e-mail in the comfort of their rooms.

Cuisine & Drinks

"The central characteristic of the Romanian cuisine is its great variety. It is a cuisine influenced by repeated waves of different cultures: the ancient Greeks, with whom Romanians traded; the Romans, who gave the country its name; the Saxons, who settled in southern Transylvania; the Turks, who for centuries dominated Romania; as well as Slavic and Magyar neighbors. All of these influences gradually blended into the varied and delicious Romanian culinary tradition"
Nicolae Klepper — Taste of Romania

The main ingredients used by Romanian chefs are meats such as pork, beef and lamb, fish, vegetables, dairy products and fruit. A traditional Romanian meal may include:
Appetizer
All kinds of cheeses, cold cuts and vegetable spreads.
Soup
"Ciorba de perisoare" (meatball soup), "ciorba taraneasca" (vegetable soup, with or withour meat), "ciorba de burta" (tripe soup).
Fish
"Saramura" (grilled carp in brine), "nisetru la gratar" (grilled Black Sea sturgeon) or "scrumbie la gratar" (grilled herring).
Entree
"Tocanita" or "tochitura" (meat stew seasoned with onions and/ or spices), "ghiveci" (over 20 vegetables cooked in oil), "sarmale" (pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a mix of minced meats, rice and spices) and "mititei" (The "Wee Ones" — small skinless grilled sausages) are among the favorites.
Dessert
"Papanasi" (cottage cheese donuts, topped with sour cream and fruit preserve), "clatite cu branza" (crepes filled with cottage cheese, raisins and spices) and "cozonac" (traditional holiday sweet bread filled with walnuts, poppy seeds or cream cheese).

A traditional drink enjoyed with appetizers is "tuica" (a potent plum brandy) which varies in strength, dryness and bouquet according to the production area.

Romania produces excellent wines, some of which are exported all over the world. Romanian beers are excellent as well.

In recent years foreign chefs have come with fresh ideas and introduced a variety of delicious cuisines from around the world: French, Italian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese are offered, to name a few.

Restaurant tips
"…I go to the butcher in the morning and buy steaks by the yard," mused Constantin Brancusi the world-famous Romanian sculptor. Romanians love meat, so grilled or spit-roasted pork, chicken or beef are in great demand, served with potatoes and fresh vegetables.

• Restaurants in small towns are usually social places where people go to have drinks and discuss politics or business. Meat might be unavoidable in such restaurants and menus are usually based on pork, beef or chicken. In small towns locals do not usually eat in restaurants because, traditionally, Romanian women cook almost every day. Homemade dishes are a world apart, so if invited to have lunch or dinner with a Romanian family, do not miss the opportunity.
• As in most countries independent restaurants tend to be better than hotel restaurants so do not hesitate to visit smaller, private owned restaurants.
• In some regions of Romania and especially in Transylvania, some dishes may be prepared with more fat than you might usually use.
• Instead having a heavy (meat) dish for lunch, try some delicious Romanian cheese and vegetables, especially during the warm summers.
• Salads are usually a side order, which comes with most entrees, especially steaks. Romanians produce great pickled vegetables (green tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower), ("muraturi").
• Prices listed on restaurant menus are per serving and include all taxes and service charge. However, some restaurants might post prices per 50 g or 100 g (1.75oz. or 3.5 oz.) while the actual serving can be up to 300 grams (12 oz.). If not stated clearly on the menu, check with the waiter and make sure that you are specific when you order. A few waiters may try to charge unsuspecting customers extra, claiming that the serving quantity was twice the quantity listed on the menu.
• Most restaurants only serve wine by the bottle. When serving the wine the waiter will usually ask you if you would like a little bit of sparkling mineral water to be added to your wine. Wine mixed with mineral water ("sprit") is very popular during summer. Hot wine — with sugar and cinnamon — ("vin fiert") is "the recommended drink" for cold winter days. For something stronger try hot plum brandy ("tuica fiarta") — hot plum brandy with sugar and peppercorn.
• Your glass of water or soft drink will not be served with ice unless specifically requested.
• Restaurants do not usually have a non-smoking section.
• Whether you're dining out in a restaurant in a city, a village or at the seaside in Romania, food service may seem a bit slow by American standards. But, the reward for your patience is that in nearly every restaurant in Romania, your meal will be freshly cooked and served with pride.
• If you want your salad first, just ask for it, since the typical Romanian style is to serve the salad along with the main meal.

• Older people particularly appreciate old-fashioned politeness. It is respectful to use Mrs. or Mr. when using the name of a person that you just meet.
• Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. When a Romanian man is introduced to a woman, he will probably kiss her hand, strictly avoiding her eyes.
• If one refuses what a host offers to eat or drink, this will often be taken as a polite refusal by guest who really means to say "yes." If you want to refuse the offer find a polite excuse and say it firmly or ask for a replacement.
• When visiting someone at home bring a small gift. Most common gifts include flowers or chocolate (for women only), a bottle of wine or liquor. Other well-appreciate gifts include Western toiletries and clothing.
• In Romania as in many Latin countries life is lived at a more relaxed pace. Normal European courtesies should be followed on social occasions. Although casual dress is fine in most occasions, wearing a suit and tie, or the women's equivalent, is important at business meetings. Appointments are necessary and punctuality is expected.

• Minimum driving age is 18.
• U.S. and Canadian driver's licenses are valid for driving in Romania.
• Driving is on the right side of the road.
• Passengers in the front seat of a car must wear seatbelts at all times. Children under 12 years of age may not ride in the front seat.
• Speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in build-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) on main roads and 110 km/h (70 mph) on highway, unless posted otherwise.
• Pedestrians have priority at all times at crossings without traffic lights.
• Bring your car to a full stop at railway crossings without traffic lights.
• Unless otherwise indicated (stop or yield sign) traffic coming from the right has the right of the way.
• The use of cellular phones while driving is not allowed.
• Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense and penalties are severe. Blood alcohol level should be 0.00% while driving. We strongly advise you not to drink and drive.
• In case of a car accident call the police and make sure that you get a copy of the Police Report.

Traffic Fines

Most visitors that encounter Romanian Traffic Police officers believe that they are nice and friendly. In case that you will have to deal with Traffic Police please remember the following:

• Traffic officers cannot collect fines on the spot. All fine payments must be made at a bank or local tax administration office. The officer will only write the ticket and will give instructions on how to pay/ dispute the fine.
• Traffic laws indicate a minimum and a maximum fine for each traffic violation. The police officer has the authority to decide the fine amount, based on circumstances. However, if you decide to pay the fine within three days from the date when the ticket was issued you will only have to pay half of the minimum amount indicated by law.
• Fines are not differentiated based on income or citizenship.
• Officers and judges have leeway in determining/ canceling traffic fines.

Safety

Although violent crime against tourists is almost non-existent visitors should take customary steps to safeguard their valuables. Leave your valuables and passport in the hotel's safety deposit box or use a money belt kept out of sight. Be aware of pickpockets and scam artists in major cities.

Do not attempt to exchange money on the street; you will likely be short-changed or receive a pile of worthless bills. Beware of con men masquerading as plainclothes police; they may pretend to check your papers or accuse you of exchanging currency on the black market. In fact they might try to steal your cash. Real plainclothes police officers might only ask to check personal documents but never your credit cards or your cash. Not having your passport with you will not be a problem. The officer will come with you at your hotel to see your passport if he really has to check it.

Travel with Pets

• Documents needed to take your pet into Romania include a Veterinary Health Certificate and a proof of rabies vaccination, not older than six months. Translation of documents is not needed if they are in English, French or German.
• There are no specific customs regarding pets.
• Pets are allowed on trains and buses. However, large dogs must wear a muzzle.
• Each hotel or restaurant has its own pet policy. In general pets are allowed in hotels and restaurants. Hotels usually charge a little bit extra for guests bringing their pets.
• Romanians love pets and please don't be surprised or offended if someone you don't know tries to pet your dog or cat without asking permission.